Hartford Athletic preseason continued last week with two friendly matches against New England Revolution II, one at Farmington Sports Arena and the other at Gillette Stadium. The home side prevailed in each matchup.
Athletic played host on Wednesday afternoon. This was the first preseason friendly that was open to the public and fans came out in full force to support their club. Ever Guzmán gave those fans the show they were hoping for. One of Athletic's newest signings scored four times in the first 45 minutes to give Hartford a lead they would never look back from. He scored in every way imaginable, chipping the keeper, tapping a ball in off of a header, cutting back to avoid a defender and curl the ball inside the right goal post, and pressuring the keeper to force a turnover and bag his fourth goal of the afternoon.
Revolution II scored on a free kick to cut the deficit to 3 early in the second half, but the Boys in Green answered with a trialist goal of their own. Alfonso Vazquez, a 17-year-old from Windham, CT, volleyed home a bouncing ball for the fifth Hartford goal of the afternoon and his second of the preseason. It was Hartford's third win of the preseason.
Just 3 days later, Hartford traveled up to Gillette Stadium for a rematch with Revolution II. New England midfielder Ryan Spaulding scored the game’s lone goal in the 31st minute, curling in a left-footed free-kick from just outside the box. Athletic had a number of chances throughout the afternoon but couldn't quite put anything together.
This week, Hartford will travel to Philadelphia to take on Philadelphia Union II on Saturday. Follow us on Twitter for updates.
Hartford Athletic preseason continued last week with two friendly matches against New England Revolution II, one at Farmington Sports Arena and the other at Gillette Stadium. The home side prevailed in each matchup.
Athletic played host on Wednesday afternoon. This was the first preseason friendly that was open to the public and fans came out in full force to support their club. Ever Guzmán gave those fans the show they were hoping for. One of Athletic’s newest signings scored four times in the first 45 minutes to give Hartford a lead they would never look back from. He scored in every way imaginable, chipping the keeper, tapping a ball in off of a header, cutting back to avoid a defender and curl the ball inside the right goal post, and pressuring the keeper to force a turnover and bag his fourth goal of the afternoon.
Revolution II scored on a free kick to cut the deficit to 3 early in the second half, but the Boys in Green answered with a trialist goal of their own. Alfonso Vazquez, a 17-year-old from Windham, CT, volleyed home a bouncing ball for the fifth Hartford goal of the afternoon and his second of the preseason. It was Hartford’s third win of the preseason.
Just 3 days later, Hartford traveled up to Gillette Stadium for a rematch with Revolution II. New England midfielder Ryan Spaulding scored the game’s lone goal in the 31st minute, curling in a left-footed free-kick from just outside the box. Athletic had a number of chances throughout the afternoon but couldn’t quite put anything together.
This week, Hartford will travel to Philadelphia to take on Philadelphia Union II on Saturday. Follow us on Twitter for updates.